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Frequently Asked Questions - CRSP Equivalency Modules

Originally Published on September 13, 2018
Last Updated September 13, 2018

BCRSP has changed the education requirement for the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) effective July 1, 2018. CRSPs who applied for certification with an educational credential that does not meet the July 1, 2018 standard are required to demonstrate equivalency, and there are 2 options available.

Option #1
If since you were originally certified, you have obtained additional formal education that will meet the new education standard (i.e. a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree, a diploma or Associate degree in OHS that meets the 900-hour requirement, or a Master’s Degree), please submit an original final transcript showing proof of completion to the BCRSP office so we may update our records. Please contact the BCRSP office if you have questions regarding your program’s eligibility.

Option 2 - Completion of 4 Online E-Learning Modules

To facilitate an equivalency pathway, the Governing Board contracted with Ryerson University to develop four e-learning modules. These modules are now available on-line to all certificants who do not meet the new education requirement and are free of charge. The modules are focused on the key skill areas identified in the OHS Professional Capability Framework: A Global Framework for Practice published by the International Network of Safety & Health Practitioner Organizations (INSHPO) and include project management, communication and leadership, professional skills, and ethics. In order to be able to demonstrate completion, each module has a short assessment component and this assessment can be taken as many times as required in order to obtain a passing grade.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who has to participate in BCRSP’s Equivalency Modules?
CRSPs who do not hold a 4-Year Bachelors’ degree (any discipline) or a minimum of a 900-hour diploma or associates degree in OHS must participate in the online modules to demonstrate education equivalency compliance to continue using the CRSP certification.

Why does BCRSP have this requirement?
As the CRSP certification is accredited to the ISO 17024, the ISO standard states that when there is a change in the certification scheme, the certification body shall document the methods and mechanisms required to verify that certified persons comply with changed requirements. Furthermore, the BCRSP has an obligation to ensure that standards for certified individuals are consistent to ensure the public interest is protected.

What if I applied with an OHS certificate but now have a bachelor’s or higher?
If you have a minimum of an accredited bachelor’s degree in any field, please send BCRSP a copy of your official academic transcript with your degree awarded and conferred date from the issuing university. Having your transcript on file will demonstrate your compliance with the CRSP education requirement and no further action will be required.

How long do I have to complete the CRSP Online Education Program?
The modules must be completed within your certification maintenance cycle. For those certificants whose CMP submissions are due by March 2019 (those with registration numbers ending in 2 or 7), should you have any difficulty meeting this timeframe, please email Carly Ducharme at the BCRSP office regarding extension options.

How many times can I take the assessments?
You will be able to retake the assessments as many times as needed within the timeframe.

How long will the modules take?
Each module is estimated to take 2-3 hours to complete, including the assessment portion. They are self-directed so you may stop partway through a module and resume at a later time.

What if I am no longer actively working in the safety profession?
Current certificants who are no longer employed full-time or part-time in OHS can request reclassification to the non-practicing class. Non-practicing certificants (CRSP Non-Practicing or CRSP (NP)) are exempt from the education requirement and may continue to hold the CRSP (NP) status. However, if at some point in the future you wish to reinstate to active status, you will not be able to do so unless you have obtained 4-Year Bachelors’ degree (any discipline) or a minimum of a 900-hour diploma or associates degree in OHS, or complete the 4 modules as well as other requirements (as required) to reclassify to practicing status.

What happens if I do not have a qualifying academic degree or choose not to complete the modules by the prescribed deadline date?
You will not be eligible to hold the CRSP certification and your certification will be revoked by the Governing Board.

How will BCRSP know I have successfully completed the online modules?
Once you receive a passing score for all four modules, we will be notified by Ryerson University that you have completed the requirements.

Will I receive recertification points for completing the online modules?
Yes, you will receive 1.0 certification maintenance points if you are currently an active CRSP. BCRSP staff will validate the point claim when you submit based on the records from Ryerson.

Does it cost me anything to take the modules?
No, it is complimentary for CRSP certificate holders who are affected by the educational requirement qualification change.